Bikejoring

What Is Bikejoring with a Dog?

Bikejoring is a
sport art where cyclists on two-wheelers compete on an
unsurfaced road, using the dogs' draught force. Dogs of all
breeds are accepted for bikejoring competitions, even
non-pedigree ones.

For
bikejoring, you need a mountain bike and sport equipment
(helmet, knee- and elbow-pads, gloves), a riding harness and a tagline with an amortization insert for
the dog. Unlike in canicross, the tagline is attached not to
the cyclist's belt, but to the bike's handle bar. The
tagline's length of 2-2.5 m provides sufficient distance
between the dog and the forewheel.

It is
not allowed to conduct bikejoring competitions on asphalt or
concrete routes, because it can be harmful for dogs. The
distance is usually 3 to 10 km.

Requirements for Bikejoring Equipment

For
bikejoring, two-wheel mountain bikes are used. The bike must
be equipped with reliable breaks and good tires. We recommend
choosing light-weight bikes.

It is
prohibited to participate in the competition without wearing a
helmet. We strongly recommend wearing knee- , elbow-pads and
gloves.

You must have a "springer" attached to your bike's frame. This
is a tool, which prevents the tagline from getting into the
wheel. Don't fail to have a buffer on the same side where the
springer is to sooth the pulling.

If the
dog comes out of action during the race, the cycler is
exempted from the competition.

Go-By

If the
cycler wants to go-by, he/she must ask to make way by shouting
"Give Way!", if the dog has approached another cycler for 15
meters. The cycler has to give way. To do that, he/she must
direct his/her bicycle to one of the sides of the road and
back off. Subsequently, he/she can go-by the other cycler only
in one minute or when the distance is 350 m. In the finish
zone of the last 800 meters the go-by rules don't apply.